The MOU confirms the already excellent working relationship activity that the Fire and Police services carry out and how communities throughout Devon, Somerset, Cornwall as well as the Isles of Scilly will directly benefit by further delivery of joint community safety initiatives that protect the most vulnerable in our communities. Shared intelligence will assist in reducing the risk of deliberate fire setting and anti-social behaviour. These are just two of the benefits to the public that will be supported by this MOU.

Lee Howell Chief Fire Officer for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “This latest development really embeds our shared vision to continue to work more closely together. We already work very closely operationally, in training, on special projects and by sharing facilities and expertise. This gives us a strong base to build on as we consider further collaboration.”

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: “We welcome these plans to establish closer working relationships between the police and fire services across Devon and Cornwall in a number of operational fields. By working together in greater collaboration, all services involved are seeking the best outcomes for the communities in which we serve. This new MOU will allow a better coordinated response to calls from the public and enable a comprehensive use of our data to identify and help those most vulnerable in society.”

CFO Paul Walker, Director of Resilient Cornwall, said “I am genuinely proud of the wide reaching extent of collaborative working with emergency service colleagues across the south west region. This is based on excellent working relationships and a desire to make a real positive difference to residents, businesses and visitors across our region. We have a superb track record of innovative partnership working and this MOU adds new areas to our established list of collaborative projects and activities.”

Alison Hernandez Police & Crime Commissioner said: “Partnership working is a key part of my police and crime plan. Closer collaboration between the police and local fire and rescue services is specifically highlighted in the plan, and there are already many examples across Devon and Cornwall where this is working extremely well.

“This operational collaboration will bring further benefits for our communities, and I am delighted that this is moving forward so quickly.”

High risk missing person searches

This provides the police with fire service resources (Urban Search and Rescue teams – USAR) to assist police in searching for high risk missing people. This includes using different search techniques depending on the missing person condition i.e. Dementia, possible suicide, etc.

To date significant success has been accomplished with fire and police being deployed.

Fire station access

A pilot is taking place in 17 fire stations within rural communities in Devon for the police to use the welfare facilities as well as interviewing members of the public who prefer not to visit a police station. The pilot is due to complete at the end of May. This allows for greater community engagement, resilience, flexibility and financial savings to both services. The community will have more opportunity to contribute and receive information on safety in their local areas.

The emergency service in the South west has always worked well together. The government is committed to driving collaboration between the emergency services to deliver more effective and efficient services to the public.